# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 94 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA256.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Coralville, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2026 · N322TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2025 · N442PR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the landing zone being unlit.
- [NTSB WPR25LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA262.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Burlington, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2025 · N877DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid the light pole, which resulted in a collision with the light pole and subsequent ground impact.
- [NTSB ERA25LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA267.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Inlet, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2025 · N67RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA118.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Hobbs, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2025 · N7530U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of directional control during a hover, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Iowa, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Nov 2, 2024 · N62CD · Destroyed
  > On November 1, 2024, about 2106 central daylight time, a Robinson R-44 II helicopter, N62CD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Iowa, Louisiana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB CEN24LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA112.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2024 · N4054Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.
- [NTSB CEN23LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA306.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2023 · N62RK · Substantial damage
  > A reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR23LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA263.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marble Falls, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N163RK · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an unknown source.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB CEN23FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA125.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.
- [NTSB GAA22WA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, Ireland · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 11, 2022 · N999RL · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN22LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA333.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Waterloo, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2022 · N442JE · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA22FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA096.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 29, 2021 · N544SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N637HP · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN21LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA378.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Gonzales, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2021 · N222VB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N4529J · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB ERA21LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA292.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2021 · N512RT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.
- [NTSB CEN21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2020 · N31136 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197.md): Robinson R44 · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N7530B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA054.md): Robinson R44 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 14, 2019 · N440AH · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted…
- [NTSB GAA19CA473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA473.md): Robinson R44 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2019 · N3066T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB CEN19LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA240.md): Robinson R44 · Blair, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N7508Z · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA428.md): Robinson R44 · Council Bluff, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N124LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB ERA19TA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA204.md): Robinson R44 · Parsons, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N883TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19TA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA178.md): Robinson R44 · La Ward, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N445AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA148.md): Robinson R44 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which…
- [NTSB ERA19FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA142.md): Robinson R44 II · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2019 · N4046J · Substantial damage
  > Contamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN19LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA065.md): Robinson R44 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2019 · N484AB · Substantial damage
  > The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.
- [NTSB GAA19CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA110.md): Robinson R44 · Grace, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2019 · N4246Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB ANC18LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA058.md): Robinson R44 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2018 · N744AK · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's application of insufficient preload on the attachment hardware for the idler gear shaft during engine overhaul, which resulted in the dismounting of the idler gear shaft assembly due to wear and deformation and the subsequent total…
- [NTSB GAA18CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA453.md): Robinson R44 · Elma, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N466EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA18CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA430.md): Robinson R44 · Okawville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.
- [NTSB ERA18FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA187.md): Robinson R44 · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2018 · N616HS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ANC18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2018 · N511CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.
- [NTSB GAA18CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA140.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2018 · N630ML · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.
- [NTSB GAA18CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA066.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2017 · N744WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR17LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA188.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · El Dorado Hills, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2017 · N61NM · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's inadequate routine maintenance on the helicopter engine, which led to low cylinder compression, improper magneto timing, and camshaft lobe wear, which subsequently resulted in degraded engine performance.
- [NTSB ANC17LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA040.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N4138M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.
- [NTSB WPR17LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA159.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N3254E · Substantial damage
  > An improper repair of the right magneto's tachometer and governor signal wire, which failed during cruise flight and initiated a simultaneous malfunction of both the engine tachometer and governor control system, which resulted in erroneous and contradictory…
- [NTSB CEN17CA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA346.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Logan, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2017 · N192E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA17CA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA401.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N3203D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB GAA17CA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA398.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N62FA · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.
- [NTSB GAA17CA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA383.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Easton, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 4, 2017 · N3025J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.
- [NTSB CEN17FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA209.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2017 · N7091F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to scarring from previous heart attacks and severe hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall which resulted in arrhythmia and a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA17LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA168.md): Robinson R44 · Newton, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2017 · N728CB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA17CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA165.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Spofford, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to hover-taxi out of the hangar and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hangar.
- [NTSB WPR17LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA043.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt. Baldy, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2016 · N324RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed during a low orbiting approach over a confined mountainous area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to land in an area that did not allow for a safe exit path under conditions near…
- [NTSB GAA17CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2016 · N744JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.
- [NTSB WPR16LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA168.md): Robinson R44 · Kailua/Kona, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2016 · N74805 · Substantial damage
  > An on-ground upset for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640122&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640122', '7640123')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '470' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence?model=7640122

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